An overview of the relationship between anthropology and museums, including the ways in which museums have been influenced by anthropological theories and methods, and the ways in which anthropology has contributed to museum practices.
Anthropology: The study of humankind and human societies, cultures, and behavior.
Cultural anthropology: The study of human cultures, their beliefs, practices, and values.
Biological anthropology: The study of human evolution, genetics, and physical characteristics.
Archaeology: The study of human cultures through the analysis of material remains and artifacts.
Museums: Institutions that collect, preserve, and display objects of cultural or historical significance.
Museum anthropology: The study of how museums collect, display, and interpret human cultures and societies.
Collecting practices: The ethical considerations and methods used in acquiring artifacts and objects for museum collections.
Curatorial practices: The management and presentation of artifacts and objects in museum exhibitions and displays.
Museum education: The role of museums in educating the public about human cultures and societies.
Digital technologies in museums: The use of technology in museum exhibitions, such as virtual reality and interactive exhibits.
Heritage preservation: The preservation and conservation of cultural and historical sites, artifacts, and objects.
Decolonization and museums: The movement to address the histories and legacies of colonialism in museum practices and collections.
Repatriation: The return of culturally significant artifacts or remains to their country of origin or culture.
Community engagement: Collaborative practices between museums and local communities in the presentation and interpretation of cultural heritage.
Ethics in museum anthropology: The ethical considerations involved in the collection, display, and interpretation of cultural heritage in museums.
Socio-cultural Anthropology: This type of anthropology deals with how societies and cultures function and interact with each other.
Biological Anthropology: Deals with the study of human evolution, genetics, and the biological variation in human populations.
Archaeology: The study of human behavior and societies of the past through the analysis of artifacts, structures, and cultural landscapes.
Linguistic Anthropology: Focuses on the study of human language and how it relates to culture, social interaction, and cognition.
Applied Anthropology: The use of anthropological theories and methods to tackle practical problems such as poverty, public health, and cultural diversity issues.
Natural History Museums: These institutions collect and display specimens of various animals, plants, and minerals for educational and research purposes.
Art Museums: These houses collections of art, which includes painting, sculpture, photography, and ceramics, among others.
Science and Technology Museums: Exhibit objects that illustrate the history and development of science and technology.
Historical Museums: These museums focus on preserving and illustrating history and heritage by displaying objects and artifacts that have been significant in shaping the history of a place or people.
Anthropology/ Ethnographic Museums: These museums exhibit objects and artifacts relating to humans and their social and cultural life, past and present.